Coin-controlled machine.



I 1. B. WATLING. COINCONTROLLED MACHINE.

'APPLLCATION FILED FEB. 8. l9l6- Patented Dec. 5, 1916. I

3 SHEETS-SHEET l J. B. WATLING. 'com CONTROLLED MACHINE.

'APPLICATION FILED FEB. 8, 1916.

Patented Dec. 5, 1916; as'uiiTs-snzm'z.

l 7 i I 1916. 3 SHEETS-SHEET s.

Patented Dec. 5

.J'OHN 13 WA'ILING, or CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

To all whom it may mm com-commoner) MACHINE.

Be it known that I, JOHN B. WA'ruNc, a

citizen of the United States, and a resident of Chicago, county of Cook, and State of.

Illinois, have invented certain'new and useful Improvements" in' Coin-Controlled lVlachines, of which the following is a spec fication.

. indicating and weight estimating-"devices The invention relates to coin controlled machines and more particularly to coin controlled weighing machines havlng weight and means controlled thereby for returning 9 the coin to the exterior of the machinein case the estimate'made by'the. user is correct. The invention seeks to provide an improved machine of ,this sort and more particularly tp provide locking means for holdpassed into the coinreturn chute or passage 1 claims.

I ing the coin returning dev ces in proper' position to return the coin until the latter has A-further object is to provide such a locking means whichxis arranged to be released by the returned coin.

with these and other "'objects'in View, as will presently appear, the invention consists in the-features of improvement hereinafter set forth, illustrated in the preferred form in the accompanying drawings and 'more particularly pointed out in the appended In the drawings chine. Fig.2 is a rear elevation. of the operating mechan'smypartsbeing broken away pointer. Fig. 3- is'a detail View in front Fig. 4 is an'enlargeddetailfview of tentionw of. the coin; Fig. 5 is a-detail'sec- .tion on the line 5- 5 of Fig. 4.;Fig. 6 is a vertical detail section illustra'tingithe manner of mounting theweight indicating and estimating devices or pointers.

inclosing casingfil having, "at its upper front portion, "a: dial 2' over which move the welght The machineis provided with a-s uitable indicating and weight estimating hands or .I pointers 3 and g h w gh nsm e is Specification of Letters Patent.

Figure: l a front view of the'upper portion of the improved maprovided with the usual base and platform (not' shown), the platform being suitably connected to a vertical actuating rod 5.

I Patented Dec. 5, 1916.] Application filed February 8,1916. s ria1nt.-7s,974. j v

The upper end of the actuating rod 5 is connected .to a heavy spring or springs 5 suspended from a frame work in the upper portion of the machine casing. In the-form 7 shown, th s frame work comprises two members 6 connected by stay-bolts 7 and mount- I ed on brackets18 on\the side walls of the casing. A shaft '9. is journaled in the upper central. portionsofthe frame members 6 and the weight indicating hand or pointer 3 (see Figs. 1 and 6) is mounted on the forward end of this shaft. A locking wheel 10 is fixed to the shaft 9. andis provided with a series of small teeth which are adapted to be engaged by a beveled or knife-ed ed locking dog, 11 that is fixed to a locking ever 12,,

the latter being pivoted between its ends .upon a lug 13 on the front frame member 6.

\Vhen the weight indicator is shifted from zero position the locking dog is arranged to engage one of the spacesbetweenthe teeth of the locking wheel 10 and thereby secure -the shaft 9 against movement with the pointer 3 in proper position to indicate the users weight.

'tion of the pointer, the locking-dog 11 rests upon a lng' li that is fixed to and projects In. the normal, zero posifrom the locking wheel 10 and-which is provided with an inclined and a radial or abrupt face." Normally as shown, the 160k;

ing dog engagesthe abrupt face thereofto prevent the movement of the indicating. n

shaft in the direction indicated by the armember 6 and-in the normal zero position "of the parts, engages a t h ,1 formed in the 'l'o'cking wheel 10. i

A small pulley 17 isQalso fixed tothe shaft 9 and a cord18 fixed to and extending over the pulley is. provided witha small weight 19. The. latter serves to restore the indicating shaft 9 and pointer 3 to zero position and this return movement is limited by a stop device shown inFig. 2 This stop v device comprises an arm 20 fixed to the rearend of 'the indicating shaft,- 9 and which is. arrangedv to engage a projection on .the end '90. row in Fig. 2. Preferab'l'y'falsof a second locking dog .15 is pivoted on the front frame.

of a stop lever 21 that is pivoted between its ends on the rear frame member '6; The op' "posite end of the stop lever 21'emov'es between two stop pins 22 and 23 fixed to the frame member. In the zero position of the indicating pointer and shaft, the lever 21 engages the stop pin 22. V If the indicating shaft I shaft 9 but a flange 25 fixed to the pinion is provided with a projecting lug 26 that is adapted to engage a lug or pin 27- on the wheel 17 so that a one-way connection is provided between the pinion 24 and the indicating shaft and pointer. The pinion 24 is engaged by a segment rack 28 mounted on the end of an arm 29. The arm is fixed to and projects upwardly from a shaft 30 that is journaled in the lower central portions of the frame members 6. This shaft is provided with a crank arm 31 and an extension arm 32, adjustably fixed to the crank arm, is provided with an actuating weight 33.- The weight 33 is considerably larger than the weight 19 and, when a weight is placed upon the platform of the machine, and the locking wheel 10 is released, the weight 33 swings the actuating arm 29 and rack 28 and, through the medium of the pinion 24- and lug 26, rotates the indicating shaft and pointer against the pull of the weight 19.

To steady this motion,'the shaft 30 is preferably provided with an arm 34 that cooperates with a dash-pot 35 suspended from the frame 6.

The actuating arm 29 is held in normalposition against a stop 36 by a rod 37 that extends through an opening in a bracket 38 fixed to the upper end of the vertical weight actuated'rod 35. A stop'collar 39 on the rod engages the upper face of the bracket so that these parts serve to restore the actuating rod 29 to normal position when the weight is removed from the platform of the machine. Preferably, the upper end of the rod 37 is i adjustably threaded into the end of a link 40 that is pivotally mounted on the crank arm 31, a lock nut 41 being provided for holding the rod in adjusted position.

When the weight is placed upon the platform the rod 5 is depressed and the spring 5 extended to an extent proportionate to the weight. The bracket 38 is also depressed but the other parts remain in the position shown in the drawings until the locking dogs 11 and 15 are released. This is effected by a com-actuated lever 42 that is pivotally J mounted between its ends in a bracket 43,

the latter being fixed to the upper central portion of the front frame member 6. One

end of the lever is provided with a counterpolse 42' which holds the lever in normal position with the adjacent end engaging a stop 44. The opposite end of the lever is provided with a coin pan 45 which is normally upheld beneath the end of a chute 46 that leads from a coin slot 47 in the upper front portion of the casing as indicated in Fig.1.

The locking lever 12 is provided at one end with a forwardly projecting lug 48 and at its opposite end with a small counterpoise 49, the latter serving to hold the locking lever" in normal position. When a coin is inserted through the slot 47 it passes into I the coin pan 45 and depresses the adjacent end of the lever 42. This portion of the lever strikes the projection 48 and also depresses the corresponding end of the lock ing lever 12 so that the locking dog 11, which is on the opposite end of the locking lever, is lifted out of engagement with the wheel 10. A cord or chain 15" connected to the coin-actuated lever 42 and to the tail of the locking dog 15-also serves to disengage the latter from the wheel 10. If, at this time, there is a wei t on the platform, and the bracket 38 is epressed, the indicating hand 3 is rotated as described, until the abutment 39 on the rod 37 engages the bracket 38.

At the end of the movement of the lever 42 effected by the eoin in the pan 45, the coin is dropped into the upper end of a chute 50 so that the lever is returned to normal ppsition and the locking dogs 11 and 15 again reen the locking wheel 10 to hold the indicating pointer 3 against movement and also to prevent another weight indication until another coin has been deposited in the machine. But to' permit the proper in-' dicating movement of the hand 3, the return movement of the locking and coin actuated levers' 12 and 42 is retarded in the usual manner by an escapement molmted on the bracket 43 and comprising a balance wheel 51,.a. pallet 52 and an escapement wheel 53. An arm 54 fixed to the coin actuated lever 42 is provided with a pawl 55 that co6perates'with a ratchet wheel 56 fixed to the escapement wheel. These parts, as usual, areso arranged that the coin actuated shift of the lever 42 is unrestrained 'but during itsreturn movement it is connected to the escapement wheel 53 and is thereby retarded. At the end of the weight indicating operation the locking dogs 11 and 15 engage the. teeth of the wheel '10 and revent further movement of the wheel. 4 e

dog 11 is designed to prevent movement of the wheel and indicating parts in either direction while the dog 15 merely serves to prevent further forward movement thereof;

When the weight is removed from the platform, the main spring 5' returns the rod 5 and bracket 38 to a normal position and, through the medium of the rod 37 also returns the segment arm 29 and pinion 24. 1 But the inl a s dicating shaft 9-and pointer 3 remain locked until near the end of the return movement of the bracket 38. At this point the lock; ing dog 11v is disengaged from the wheel -so that the. indicating shaft and pointer are returned to normal position by the weight 19. During this return movement the, dog 15 remains in engagement with the wheel and prevents any motion of the indiportion of which passes through a guide 58 on a bracket 59, the extreme upper end of the rod having'an arm- 60 that extends beneath a forwardly projecting lug 61 on the adjacent end-of the lockingtlever 12.

The improved weight indicating devices can be operated only once for each coin in-v serted. The additional locking dog 15 guards anyattempts to disengage the main locking dog 11 by jumping on the platform. of the weighing machine or scale.

As stated, the coin,. after operating the lever 42 drops from the coin pan :or holder 45. thereofinto the upper end of the chute 50. ,This chute is provided with an extension which leads to a cup 62 on the'exterior of the casing- A branch chute 63" leads to a coin box or receptacle 64 withinthe casing. .-Mea'ns is provided for deter. mining whether the coin is. returned 'toathe user of the machine or retained within the casing and such means, preferably comprises a pivoted deflector plate 64.. This deflector plate is. fixed at itslower edge to ashort horizontal shaft 65 which is mounted in'the chute 50 at apoint adjacent the unction'of the-chute 50 with the lower portion of the branch chute A shifter for the deflector plate is provided in the form of a: lever 66 wvhich is pivoted adjacent its lowerend on a bracket 67 fixed tothe s1de of the chute.

on the endof the shaft 65.

The upper end of theshift lever isslotted and engages a crank portion 65 formed up- A spring 68. serves to holdthe deflector plateiin normal position shown in dotted lines in. Fig. 2. In this position it extends across and closes the coin-return chute and deflect-s the coins into the chute 63'. By means of the shiftlever 66the deflector plate may be {shifted to the position shown in Fig.4. so that the coin. passing through the chute 50 will be returned to the user ofthe' machine. I A lock is provided for holding the de-.

. flector in'its shifted position and is preferably in the form of a locking plate 69 mounted on a shaft 7 0, the latter beingjournaled: in ears 71 formed upondeflecto'r plate -a 'air of sto pins 79and on the insulatjacent the stop pin 80. The extreme upper 4 end of thefcontactarm is 64 adjacent lower pivotededge; One end P of the shaft 7 0 projects through a transverse slot in the side wall of the chute 50 and "is-provided with a crank portion '70 which is connected to one end of the spring 68,the opposite end of the spring being connected to .a lug. 72 on the side of the chute. The

s'pring68 tends to hold thelocking plate 69 against astop piece 7 3 secured to theadjacent 1 face of the. deflector plate 64.. The spring also tends to return the deflector plate from its. shifted posit-ion shown in Fig. 1 back to its normal position shown in F ig; 2. but,'in its shifted position the deflecto'rplate is moved against one of the side walls of the chute while. the locking plate 69 extends holds the deflector plate in shifted position. until the coin falls through the chute 50 and the deflector plate 64 back to its normal potransver sely,across the chute and engages the opposite side wall and thus securely sition shown in Fig. 2. Means controlled by so the weight indicating and estimating devices or pointers 3 and i is arranged to operate the shifter 66 and the deflector p1ate 6-i so that when the ilsersestimate agrees with his actual weight the inserted coin will be returned. Preferably an electro-magnet 'Hm'ounted on the bracket 67 is arranged to shift the lever 66 and the deflector plate andflthe circuit of this magnet is controlledby two pairs of contacts both of which must be closed to energize the magnet. The .weight indicating and estimating pointers 3' and 4 constitute one pair of contacts and preferably, as

shown... the weight indicating hand or pointer 3 ,/is provided with ,a spring contact 75 (see Fig. 6) which is arranged toengage the estimating hand or pointer 1 when both 1 hands or pointers occupy corresponding po-v sitions. r i

The other pair of contacts are formed by a pin 42 on the coin-actuated lever 42 and a.

contact arm 7 6 which is connected adjacent itsv lower endby'a pivot stud 77 to an insulating support 78 on one of the frame memingsu'pport 8. T Theupper portion of the contact. arm 76 is 'inclined'inwardly and a 120 I rovided with an insulated portion 76*;wh1ch normally engages the pin i2? so. that electrical contact is' not'formed until a coin is inserted in the machine and thelever 42 depressed thereby 130 The lever 42 is so quickly depressedby the coin that the pin 42 thereon does not have an opportunity of contacting with the uninsulated portion on the arm 76 on the downward movement of the lever. the backward retarded movement of, the lever 42 the pin 42, just before the end of such movement, contacts with the un-insulated portion of the arm 76 and closes the circuit of the magnet 74 at this point.

A swinging inclined plate 81 is arranged in the chute above the deflector plate 6i and is mounted at its upper end upon a short shaft 82 which is journaled in projections on the chute and which is provided with a crank arm 82 having a small counterpoise 83 thereon. The counter-poise is of such size that it will be overcome by a coin resting. on the plate 81 but when a coin is deposited and the lever 42 depressed, the lower insulated end portion 7 6" of the contact arm or lever 76 swings over the end of the crahk arm 82 and holds the plate 81 in the position shown in the drawings until the coin drops into the chute 50 and the lever 42 has returned to its normal position. The coin resting on the plate 81 then overcomes the counter-poise 83 and passes downwardly through the chute 63 or into the return chute 50 in accordance withthe setting of the deflector plate 64. By means of the plate 81 the coin is thus retained above the deflector plate until the weight indicating hand or pointer 3 has been shifted to show whether or not the users estimate is correct.

The user of the machine moves the hand 4 to register his estimate as to his weight by means of a knob 84 on the exterior of the machine casing (see Fig. 1). This knob is mounted on the outer end of a 85 which is provided within the casing with a sprocket wheel 86 and a ratchet wheel 87. The sprocket wheel is connected by a chain 88 to a sprocket wheel 89 that is connected to the estimating pointer 4. As shown in Fig. 6, the pointer 4 isfixed to the outer end of a tube 90 that is surrounded but is spaced apart from the shaft 9. The tube 90 is journaled in a sleeve 91 which is mounted in the bracket 59 but is insulated therefrom by a sleeve 92. The tube is also insulated from the sprocket wheel 89 by a part 93. A spring-pressed friction washer 91 on the outer end-of the tubular shaft. 90 engages the ends of the sleeves 91 and 92 and serves to hold the estimating pointer 4 in adjusted position. The ratchet wheel 87' (see Fig. 2) which is connected to the sprocket wheel 86 is arranged to be engaged by a springpr'emed locking dog 95. Normally, an arm 96 on the lower end of the rod 57 holds the locking dog 95 out of engagement with the ratchet wheel 87, but when the user is on the platform, the rods 5 and 57-and the part 96am depressed and the dog 95 engages the But on then further adjust the weight devices. a

In operation the user of the machine first adjusts the weight estimating indicator 4 then steps on the platform of the machine into the chute 50 and is arrested by the plate '81. If the estimated and actual weights doratchet wheel 90 so that the wheel cannot estimating.

not correspond the deflector plate 6% will remain in the normal position shown in Fig. 2 and when the coin is dropped from the detaining plate 81 it will passinto the chute 63 and coin box 64. If the actual and estimated weight, as shown by the pointers 3 and 4 correspond a circuit may be traced from a battery 97 by a conductor 98' which leads to the bushing 91, as shown in Fig. 6, thence by the tubular shaft. 90, pointer 4 to the contact 75 and pointer 3, then through the metal frame work of the machine to the lever 42, pin 42 thereon and arm 7 6, thus by a conductor 99 to the magnet'fl and by a return conductor 100 back to the battery. The magnet is then energized and the deflector plate 6'4 shifted to the position shown in Fig. 4. In this position, as described, ,it

is locked by the plate69 until the coin drops from the "detaining plate 81. When this occurs, the coin strikes the locking plate 69, swings it downwardly and passes out to 'the cup 62 on the exterior of the machine casing. Spring 68 then returns the deflector plate to normal position.. As soon as the user of the machine steps ofi the platform, the spring '5' returns the rod 5 and, through the medium of the rod 37, returns the actuating 8 arm 29 and pinion 24 to normal position.- The indicating hand 3 and shaft 9 however. remain locked as stated, until near the end of the return movement ofthe rod 5 when the parts 57 and 60 connected thereto, lift.

the locking lever 12. The weight indicating devices are then returned to zero position by the weight 19. I I

It is obvious thatchanges may be made in the details set forth without departure from the essentials of the invention as defined in the claims.

I I- claim-as my invention 1. In a coin-controlled weighing machine, the combination with weight indicating and weight estimating devices, of a de ector controlled by said devices for determining the retention or return of the coin, and'a lock for said deflector adapted to be released by the coinH/a 2. In a coin-controlled we' machine and the'oombination with weight indicating weight estimating devices, of a deflector for a determlmng the retention or return of the coin, means controlled by said indicating 1 controlled by said indicating and estimat-q and estimating devices for setting said deflector to return the coin, and a lock for holding said deflector in set position arranged to be released bythe returned coin.

3. In a coin-controlledweighing machine, the-combination with weight indicating and weight estimating devices, a deflector normally in position ,to retain the coin, devices ing devices for shifting said ,deflectorto return the coin, and a lock for holding said deflector in shifted position, said lockbeing arranged to be released by'the passage of the coin past said deflector'to thereby effect the return ofthe latterto normal position.

4. In a coin-controlled machine, the'combination with indicating and estimating devices,of a chute for returning the coin to the exterior of the machine, a deflectornor mally preventing the' passage (if the coin through said return chute, means controlled by said indicating and estimating devices for shifting said deflector, and a lock for holding said deflector in shifted position arranged, to be released by a coin passing through said return chute.

5. a coin-controlled machine, the com bination with indicating and estimating devices, of a chute for returning the coin to a the exterior of the machine, a deflector norbination with indicating and estimating de-r determining the return 'or -the retentionof mally preventing the passage of the coin through said return chutefanelectro-magr net controlled by said indicating and, estimating devices, means actuated by said magnet for shifting said deflector, and a lock forholding saidl deflector in shifted position arranged to be released'by the passage of a coin past said deflector.

a 6. In a coin-controlled machine, the com' vices and coin-actuated mechanism controlling said indicating device, ofa deflector for determining thelreturn. or the retentionof the coin, means controlled by said coin-actuated mechanism and said indicating and estimating devices; for shifting saiddeflector, and a lock for holding said'deflector in position adapted be released by" shifted the coin.

7. .In a coin-controlled machine, the com-- bination with indicating and estimating devices and coin-actuated mechanism controlling said indicating device, of a deflector for the coin, means for shifting said deflector,

an actuating magnet therefor, a circuit for and estivices, of a chute for'returning the coin to the exterior of the machine, a swinging deflector plate normally, closing said return chute, means controlled by said indicating and estimating devices for shiftingsaiddeflector plate, and a swinging locking plate for holding said deflector plate in shifted position, saidlocking plate being arranged in the 'path'of the coin through said return chute and adapted to be released thereby.

9. In a coin-controlled machine, the combination with indicating and estimating devices, of a chute forreturning the coin'to the exterior of the machine, a pivoted deflector plate normally closingv said return chute, means controlled by said indicating and estimating devices for shifting said deflector'plate to open said return chute, and apivoted locking plate for holding :said deflector in shifted position, said locking plate being arranged in locking position to extend across said chute and be released by the pas sage of the coin therethrough.

. .10.- In a coin-controlled machine,the combination of a chute for returning the coin. to the exterior of the machine, a pivoted deflector-platenormally extending across said chute, means for shifting said deflector plate, and a locking plate pivoted on said deflector plate for holding the latter in shifted position, said locking plate in operative position,

being arranged to extend across said chute and adapted to be released'by the passage of a a coin therethrough.

all. In a coin-controlled machine, the combination of a chute for returning the insertedcoin to the exterior of the machine, a de-. flector normally closing said chute, means for shifting said deflector, a lock for holding said deflector in shifted position but ar-- ranged to ,be released by the passage of the 'coinpast said deflector, and means above saiddeflector-for temporarily detaining the com., Y

bination with a weighing mechanism, an in- 12, In a coin-controlled machine, the comdicator and an indicator shaft, of a pinion loose onsaid shaft and'having a one-way connection therewith to movesaidindicaton from normal position, an actuating arm geared to said pinion, a stop memberinten posed between said actuating arm and said weighing mechanism, a locking wheel fixed to said indicator shaft, two locking dogs arranged to engage said wheel both in the,

normal andadjusted positions of said indicator, a coin-actuated trip for temporarily releasing said dogs, one'of said locking dogs 'being arranged to permit the backward movement :of saidiindicator from adjusted position but to prevent-the forwardmove ment thereof, and a trip connected to said weighing mechanism for releasing the'other ofsaid dogs, substantially as described. I

:13. a coin controlledimachine, the com-' bination with a weighing mechanism, an indicator and an indicator shaft, of a pinion loose on said shaft and having a one-way connection therewith to move said indicator from normal position, an actuating arm geared to said pinion, an adjustable stop rod interposed between said actuating arm and said weighing mechanism and having a oneway connection with one of said parts, a locking wheel fixed to said indicator shaft, two locking dogs arranged to engage said wheel to hold said indicator against movement from adjusted position, a coin-actuated trip for temporarily releasing said dogs, one of said dogs being arranged to permit the backward movementof said indicator, and a trip rod for the other of said dogs connected to said weighing mechanism, substantially as described.

14. In a coin-controlled machine, the combination with a weighing mechanism, an indicator and an indicator shaft, of a pinion loose on said shaft and having a one-way Join: B. WATLING. 

